Backpack with Adjustable Strap

ABSTRACT

A backpack assembly includes a lower portion having a bottom and at least one side wall extending upwardly from the bottom. The lower portion includes a first through-opening located proximate to the bottom and a second through-opening located proximate to the bottom and disposed away from the first through-opening. An upper portion has an opening. A strap has a first end coupled to the upper portion and a second end coupled to the upper portion disposed away from the first end. A portion of the strap extends through the first through-opening, into the lower portion, and out of the second through-opening. The portion has a first length having a first securement device and a second length having a second securement device, wherein the first securement device is releasably couplable to the second securement device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/720,055, which was filed on Oct. 30, 2012, and which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A child who has conditions such as tachycardia is required to be hooked up to a heart monitor in order to monitor the condition of his/her heart. Such monitors are relatively large compared to a small child and can get in the child's way. It would be beneficial to provide a device that can store the monitor, yet be out of the way of the child as the child goes about playing, walking, or performing other tasks. It would also be beneficial for the storage device to be adjustable based on the size of the child, and to accommodate the child's growth.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention provides a backpack assembly comprising a lower portion having a bottom and at least one side wall extending upwardly from the bottom. The lower portion includes a first through-opening located proximate to the bottom and a second through-opening located proximate to the bottom and disposed away from the first through-opening. An upper portion has an opening. A strap has a first end coupled to the upper portion and a second end coupled to the upper portion disposed away from the first end. A portion of the strap extends through the first through-opening, into the lower portion, and out of the second through-opening. The portion has a first length having a first means for securing and a second length having a second means for securing. The first means is releasably couplable to the second means.

Additionally, the present invention provides a backpack assembly comprising a pack having a base having a perimeter and a side wall extending upwardly from the base around the perimeter. The side wall has a top portion and a first opening extending through the side wall proximate to the base. A first shoulder strap portion is coupled to the top portion and extends through the first opening. The first shoulder strap portion has a length between the top portion and the first opening. The first shoulder strap portion is insertable into the first to reduce the length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a backpack assembly according to the present invention, with the inventive backpack assembly being worn by a user;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view, partially broken away, of a first embodiment of the backpack assembly of FIG. 1, with securing means disengaged;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view, partially broken away, of a top portion of an alternative embodiment of a backpack assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view, partially broken away, of a lower portion of an alternative embodiment of a backpack assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view, partially broken away, of the first embodiment of the backpack assembly of FIG. 1, with securing means engaged;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view, partially broken away, of a lower portion of another alternative embodiment of a backpack assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view, partially broken away, of a lower portion of another alternative embodiment of a backpack assembly according to the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the front of a user wearing the backpack assembly according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The terms “top” or “upper” and “bottom” or “lower” refer, respectively, to a higher vertical location when the inventive device is being worn and to a lower vertical location when the inventive device is being worn. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. The embodiments illustrated below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. These embodiments are chosen and described to best explain the principle of the invention and its application and practical use and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, a backpack assembly 100 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Backpack assembly 100 may be used by a small child or other user 50 to carry around equipment with him/her. In an exemplary embodiment, the equipment may be a medical device, such as a Holter monitor, an insulin pump, or other medical device that needs to accompany the child. Alternatively, backpack assembly 100 may be used to carry books, toys, or other items that may be used by the child. Further, it is understood that the present invention may be scaled up in size to fit an adult.

In an exemplary embodiment, and not meant to be limiting, backpack assembly 100 can be about three inches wide and about five inches high when backpack assembly 100 is closed, and about seven and a half inches high when backpack assembly 100 is open.

Backpack assembly 100 includes adjustable straps that can be lengthened or shortened depending on the size of the child. For example, the straps can be lengthened so that backpack assembly 100 “grows” as the child grows. Further, the strap adjustment mechanism is stowed within the backpack so that it is out of reach of the child, preventing the child from being able to disengage or otherwise manipulate the adjustment mechanism.

Backpack assembly 100 can be manufactured from a woven fabric, such as cotton, or other suitable material for a backpack. Certain portions of backpack assembly 100 may be reinforced with additional layers of material to provide enhanced strength and to reduce wear along such portions.

Referring specifically to FIG. 1, backpack assembly 100 includes a pack 102 that includes a lower portion 110 having a bottom 112 and at least one side wall 114 extending upwardly from bottom 112. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, lower portion 110 includes four generally orthogonal side walls 114, 116, 118, 120. Those skilled in the art, however, will recognize that one or two of side walls 114, 116, 118, 120 may be omitted without departing from the scope of the invention.

Lower portion 110 includes a first through-opening 122 located proximate to bottom 112 and a second through-opening 124 located proximate to bottom 122 and disposed away from first through-opening 122. In an exemplary embodiment, first through-opening 122 extends through side wall 114 and second through-opening 124 extends through sidewall 118, so that first and second through-openings 122,124 extend through opposing side walls.

First through-opening 122 and second through-opening 124 can be sewn over so that the fabric surrounding first through-opening 122 and second through-opening 124 does not fray. Optionally, first through-opening 122 and second through-opening 124 can each be lined with grommets (not shown) to define through-openings 122, 124 and to prevent the material forming lower portion 110 from fraying at first and second through-openings 122, 124, respectively.

Referring now to FIG. 2, pack 102 further includes an upper portion 130 having an opening 132 that is used to insert/remove items into/from lower portion 110 of backpack assembly 100. Optionally, upper portion 130 can include a flap 134 extending from side wall 120 so that opening 132 can be covered when flap 134 is flipped over opening 132. Optionally, a fastener 136 a-b, such as a hook and loop fastener, can be used to secure flap 134 to pack 102.

Backpack assembly 100 further includes a strap 140 that has a first end 142 coupled to upper portion 130 and a second end 144 coupled to upper portion 130 disposed away from first end 142. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, first end 142 can be coupled proximate to an intersection of wall 114 and 120, while second end 144 can be coupled proximate to an intersection of wall 118 and 120. In an exemplary embodiment, strap 140 is of unitary construction.

First end 142 and second end 144 can be fixedly coupled to upper portion 130 or alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, first end 142 can include a female snap portion 242 and second end 144 can include a female snap portion 244, with corresponding male snap portions 246, 248 being affixed to upper portion 130 so that first end 142 and second end 144 are each releasably couplable to upper portion 130.

If first end 142 and second end 144 are releasably couplable to upper portion 130, then first end 142 and second end 144 can be completely uncoupled from upper portion 130. Strap 140 can be slid through first and second through-openings 122, 124 and removed from the rest of backpack assembly 100 and washed or replaced, as necessary. A cleaned or replacement strap can be inserted through first through-opening 122, through lower portion 110, and through second through-opening 124. First end 142 and second end 144 can then be coupled to upper portion 130.

Also, with strap 140 removed from the rest of backpack assembly 100, a belt (not shown) can be slid through first through-opening 122 and second through-opening 124 so that backpack assembly 100 can be worn on the belt.

Referring back to FIG. 2, a portion 146 of strap 140 extends through first through-opening 122, into lower portion 110, and out of second through-opening 124. Portion 146 has a first length 148 having a first means 150 for securing and a second length 152 having a second means 154 for securing. First means 150 is releasably couplable to second means 154 such that first length 148 is releasably couplable to second length 152 to adjust the length of strap 140 between upper portion 130 and first through-opening 122 as well as the length of strap 140 between upper portion 130 and second through-opening 124, in order to adjust the length of strap 140 for different sized users.

In an embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, first means 150 may be a first part 160 of a hook and loop securing device and second means 154 may be a second part 162 of a hook and loop securing device. The hook and loop securing device 160, 162 allows first length 148 to be secured to second length 152 anywhere along second length 152, allowing for infinite adjustability between first length 148 and second length 152.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2 first means 150 may be a female part 250 of a snap and second means 154 may be several males parts 254 a, 254 b, 254 c , 254 d of a snap, such that female part 250 can be selectively and adjustably coupled to any one of male parts 254 a, 254 b, 254 c to selectively adjust the length of strap 140. A comparison of FIG. 2, in which first means 150 is not coupled to second means 154, with FIG. 5, in which first means 150 is coupled to second means 254, shows the shortening in the length of strap 140 between first end 142 and first through-opening 122, as well as between second end 144 and second through-opening 124.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6, first means 150 may be a button 350 and second means 154 may be several button holes 354 a, 354 b, 354 c, such that button 350 can be selectively and adjustably inserted into one of button holes 354 a, 354 b, 354 c to selectively adjust the length of strap 140.

As first means 150 is coupled to second means 154, portion 146 of strap 140 between first through-opening 122 and second through-opening 124 is adjusted. When first length 148 is coupled to second length 152, the length of strap 140 between upper portion 130 and first through-opening 122 is shorter than when first length 148 is not coupled to second length 152.

As the user 50 grows, the coupling of first means 150 with second means 154 can be adjusted to extend the length of strap 140 between upper portion 130 and first through-opening 122, as well as the length of strap 140 between upper portion 130 and second through-opening 124.

Still optionally, strap 140 can be two separate pieces, such as a first strap portion 241 having a first free end 246 extending through first through-opening 122 into lower portion 110 and a second strap portion 243 having a second free end 248 extending into lower portion 110. First strap portion 241 and second strap portion 243 can be releasably secured to each other inside lower portion 110. For example, first free end 246 can be coupled to second free end 248 by a means 250 for securing, such as, for example, a parachute buckle, a clip, or other securing means, such as any of the other securing means disclosed herein or any other suitable securing means. Still alternatively, first free end 246 can be merely tied to second free end 248.

Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, to assist in adjusting any of the coupling means that may be used to adjust the length of strap 140, an opening 111 can be formed in lower portion 110, such as in wall 116, to allow a person to put his/her fingers through opening 111 and into pack 102 to adjust means 150, 250 for securing. Opening 111 can include a closing means 113, such as, for example, a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, or other suitable closing means so that wall 116 can be closed up so that items inside pack 102 do not fall out through opening 111.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 8, a first end 162 of a lateral strap 160 can be coupled to strap 140 between first end 142 and first through-opening 122. Similarly, a second end 164 of lateral strap 160 can be coupled to strap 140 between second end 144 and second through-opening 124. Lateral strap 160 provides additional securement of backpack assembly 100 to the user 50, and makes it more difficult for the user 50 to remove backpack assembly 100 on his/her own. First and second ends 162, 164, respectively, of lateral strap 160, can be slidingly coupled to strap 140 to allow vertical adjustment of lateral strap 160 in order to accommodate users of different sizes. Additionally, the length of lateral strap 160 can be adjusted to vary the length of strap 160 between strap 140.

In an exemplary embodiment, to use backpack assembly 100, a person, typically a parent, can insert the user's arms between strap 140 and lower portion 110 as shown in FIG. 8. To adjust the length of strap 140, the person opens flap 134 to access portion 146 of strap 140 inside lower portion 110 and pulls portion 146 of strap 140 upward and toward, but not necessarily out of, opening 132. The person pulls strap 140 through first and second through-openings 122, 124, respectively, to shorten the length of strap 140 between each through-opening 122, 124 and upper portion 130 until strap 140 is a comfortable and workable length for the user 50. By “workable” length, it is meant that the length is not too long so as to be able to be easily removed by the user 50, and not too short so as to make backpack assembly 100 too tight for the user 50.

The person then couples first means 150 to second means 154 to releasably secure first length 148 to second length 152 and maintain the desired length of strap 140.

After strap 140 is adjusted to a desired length, the item(s) to be carried by backpack assembly 100 can be inserted through opening 132 and pack 102. Flap 134 can be flipped over opening 132 and secured to pack 102, such as with hook and loop fastener 136.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A backpack assembly comprising: a lower portion having a bottom and at least one side wall extending upwardly from the bottom, wherein the lower portion includes: a first through-opening located proximate to the bottom; and a second through-opening located proximate to the bottom and disposed away from the first through-opening; an upper portion having an opening; and a strap having a first end coupled to the upper portion and a second end coupled to the upper portion disposed away from the first end, wherein a portion of the strap extends through the first through-opening, into the lower portion, and out of the second through-opening, the portion having a first length having a first means for securing and a second length having a second means for securing, wherein the first means is releasably couplable to the second means.
 2. The backpack assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the strap is releasably coupled to the upper portion.
 3. The backpack assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first length is releasably couplable to the second length to adjust the length of the strap between the upper portion and the first through-opening.
 4. The backpack assembly according to claim 3, wherein a length of the strap between the first through-opening and the second through-opening is adjusted.
 5. The backpack assembly according to claim 1, wherein the strap is of unitary construction.
 6. The backpack assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first through-opening extends through the at least one side wall.
 7. The backpack assembly according to claim 1, wherein, when the first length is coupled to the second length, the length of the strap between the upper portion and the first through-opening is shorter than when the first length is not coupled to the second length.
 8. The backpack assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first end is fixedly coupled to the second end.
 9. The backpack assembly according to claim 8, wherein the upper portion includes a passage extending therethrough, and wherein the strap extends through the passage.
 10. The backpack assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a lateral strap coupled to the strap between the first end and the first through-opening.
 11. The backpack assembly according to claim 10, wherein the lateral strap is slidingly coupled to the strap.
 12. A backpack assembly comprising: a pack having: a base, the base having a perimeter; and a side wall extending upwardly from the base around the perimeter, the side wall having a top portion and a first opening extending through the side wall proximate to the base; a first shoulder strap portion coupled to the top portion and extending through the first opening, the first shoulder strap portion having a length between the top portion and the first opening, the first shoulder strap portion being insertable into the first to reduce the length.
 13. The backpack assembly according to claim 12, wherein the side wall has a second opening, the backpack assembly further comprising a second shoulder strap portion coupled to the top portion and extending through the second opening.
 14. The backpack assembly according to claim 13, wherein the first shoulder strap portion is releasably couplable to the second shoulder strap portion inside the pack.
 15. The backpack assembly according to claim 13, wherein the first shoulder strap portion and the second shoulder strap portion comprise a single strap.
 16. The backpack assembly according to claim 13, wherein the side wall further comprises a third opening sized to allow a hand to pass therethough to releasably couple the first shoulder strap portion to the second shoulder strap portion.
 17. The backpack assembly according to claim 13, further comprising a lateral strap coupling the first shoulder strap portion to the second shoulder strap portion.
 18. The backpack assembly according to claim 17, wherein the lateral strap is slidingly coupled to the first shoulder strap portion.
 19. The backpack assembly according to claim 12, wherein the first shoulder strap portion is releasably coupled to the top portion. 